Seal for shafts



June 29, 1948. M. E. EsTEY 2,444,249

` SEAL FQR SHAFTS 4 Filed Nov. 17. 1944 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 53a 'MAY/mko5 5 rEf QM/vf i I /4 TTONEY.

June 29, 1948. M. E. Es'rEY 2,444,249

SEAL FOR SHAFTS Filed Nov. 17, 1944 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 `INVENTQRMAY/WIRD E. ESTE?? .A ORNEY Patented June 29, 1948 SEAL FOR SHAFTSMaynard E. Estoy, Canandaigua, N. Y assignor to Estey Pump Company,Inc., Canandaigua, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November17, 19.44. Se rial No. 563,811 3 claims. (ci. 28e-i145) This inventionrelates to seals for shafts. It is particularly directed to a packinggland for sealing a rotary shaft.'

An object of this invention is to provide a packing gland of thecharacter described including a spring pressed disc on the -shaft androtating therewith, and a ring of self-lubricating or sintered metal orcarbon graphite on the shaft 'and contacting the disc, and retainedagainst rotation, whereby to prevent passage of liquid past the meetingsurfaces of the `disc and said ring. l

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a seal of thecharacter described, a packing gland and ring on the shaft. the glandrotating with the shaft and the ring being held against rotation. andsaid gland and ring having complementary tapered contacting surfacesadapted to throw out by centrifugal force any liquid that tends to seepbetween said surfaces.

Yet another object of the invention is to'provide in a 'seal for a shaftof the character described, a ring on the shaft held against rotationand adapted to have free but limited movement radially and axially ofthe shaft.

Still another objectof this invention is to pro--l vide a sealA for ashaft, comprising a collar on the shaft rotatable therewith and havingan outer frusta-conical surface,v a ring disposed about the shaft andhaving an inner frusta-conical surface contacting the outer conicalsurface of the co1- lar, 'and a washer resiliently pressed against saidring t press the ringl against the collar.

Yet a still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedpacking gland of the character described, and means to fully enclose thepacking gland.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a strong, compactand durable packing gland of the character described .and which shallfrictionally seal the shaft against leakage, which shall belong-wearing, and practical and efficient to a high degree in use. n

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

' The invention accordingly consists in the features -of construction,combinations of ele- 2 a shaft in a bearing', and provided with'a sealembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a. cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial view of a packing gland embodying the invention andillustrating a modifled construction.

` Fig, 4 is an end view of a. shaft provided with a seal embodying theinvention and illustrating another modified construction.

Fig, 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an axial detailed cross-sectional vie of a portion of the sealshown in Fig. 4.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, Il designates by way of example,a pump or other container or de vice containing liquid, and throughwhich thereex-tends a shaft I2. The pump or like article 4I0 maycomprise a chamber I4 for the liquid.` At one end of chamber I4 is awall I5 formed with a bearing opening I6 through vwhich the shaft I2passes. Integrally formed with end wall I5 may be a leg or other supportIl. At the upper end of the`le`g. and extending from the wall ls, is ahub n formed 'with a horizontal cylindrical socket or chambei' 2|through which shaft I2 passes. Chamments, and arrangement of parts whichwill be vexempliiied in the construction hereinafter described, and ofwhich the scope of application will beaindicated in" the followingclaims,

In the accompanying' drawings, n which is shown various possibleillustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. l is an elevational cross-sectional view of foi-th., Shoulder 4I2cinterconnects l ber :risopen at its outer erid. wall f2s has arim edge23 at the end-of the socket or chambe'r 2|. .attached to rim 23. is anabutment gland 24.' Gland 24 is formed with a through bearing opening 25through which shaft I2 passes. 'Said abutment gland also has a flatannular flange 2l abutting against the rim 23a`nd a cylindricalextension 26 projecting into chamber 2I Interposed between flange 2l ofthe abutment gland 24 and the rim 23 of wall 20 may be a gasket orwasher 40.

Abutment'gland 24 may be fixed to wall 20 by any means as for instancethe studs 30 passing through suitable openings in flange 2l of thegland. and screwed within screw-'threaded openings 32 in rim 23.Extension 26 ofthe' abutment gland 24 is formed with a 'recess forming acylindrical inner surface 35 and a tapered surface 38 at the bottom ofthe-recess.

It will be noted that shaft I2 comprises a portion I2a of a largerdiameter passing through opening. I6, and a portion I 2b of somewhatsmaller diameter lpassing through the opening 25. Just within thechamber 2 I, shaft I2 is formed with a tapered shoulder I2c preferablyhaving an anglefof 10 for the reason hereinafter set shaft por-tions I2aand I2b.

Attached to the cylindrical wall 26 and projecting radially inwardlythrough surface 35 is a pin or key 4|. The angle of the tapered surface36 may be at about 30. Fitted into the bottom of the recess in theabutment gland 24 and contacting the surface 36 is a resilient washer orgasket 42 made of rubber, synthetic material or the like compressiblesubstance. Washer 42 has a tapered surface complementary to andcontacting surface 36, and ron its opposite sidek the samemay beprovided with a fiat surface 44. The outer diameter of gasket or washer42 is substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical surface 36.Washer 42 surrounds shaft portion |2b as shown in the drawing.

Fitted within opening 35 ofthe abutment gland is a self-lubricating,sinte'redmetal or carbon graphite ring 46. Said ring has a fiat surfacecontacting-the fiat surface 44 of washer 42. 'On its opposite side, ring46 has a tapered or internal frusto-conical center surface 46 likewisepreferably at about 30. The outer diameter of ring 46 is preferablysomewhat less than the inner diameter of cylindrical surface 35. Ring 46is formed with a peripheral slot 56 into which the pin 4| projects. thant-he diameter of pin 4| and its depth is greater than the length of thepin. Ring 46 is preferalbly not tight on shaft |2b.

It will now be understood that the pin 4| restrains washer 46 againstrotation but permits longitudinal and axial movement of' said Washerrelative to the shaft. Thus thedowel pin allows radial movement betweenthe two flat surfaces of memlbers 42 and 46. Furthermore, sumcient playis provided between the dowel pin and the hole or slot in the ring 46 toallow for axial movement of the sintered ring against the shaft so as topress together the fiat surface of the sintered ring and the resilientwasher 42. Such action also presses the resilient -washer 42 against thetapered surface 36 at the bottom of the recess, and furthermore,compresses said Washer peripherally against the shaft to aid in sealingthe shaft.

On shaft portion |2b is a gland or valve disc 53 of metal or other rigidmaterial. Said disc has at one end an external frusto-conical surface 54complementary to the inner tapered surface 46 of ring 46. The outer edgeof ring or disc 53 has a free running t within the cylindrical surfaceof chamber 2|.

The disc is furthermore formed with a cylindrical flange 66 of reduceddiameter having an inner tapered surface 6|.

0n shaft portion |2b is a compressible packing '63 having a beveledportion fitted within the beveled surface 6|. The packing 63 has anoppositely :beveled surface 64, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Onshaft portion |2b is an annular metallic ring 65 formed with a beveledrecess to receive portion 64 of the packing 63 and also receiving thereduced portion 66 of disc 53. On shaft portion |2b is also an annularcollar 66 having an inner tapered surface 66 contacting the Spring 16presses ring 65 to compress the packing 63. The disc 53 together withpacking 63, ring 65, spring 16, and collar 66 rotate with the Thelength` of the slot is greater s'haft. There is rubbing contact,therefore, between the tapered surface 54 of disc 53 and the innertapered surface 46 of the stationary ring 46. The spring pressure ofcoil 16 maintains the tapered surfaces firmly in contact. The packing 63is also compressed yby spring 16 to create a circumferential seal on theshaft. The shaft is thus sealed |by packing'63 and the resilient washer36. Liquid may seep into chamber 2| and if any of the liquid flowsaround the edge of disc 56 and tends to seep between the surfaces 46 and54, rotation of disc 53 will have a tendency to throw such liquidoutwardly by centrifugal'force, thus aiding in preventing seepage ofliquid through the sea In Fig. 3 there is shown a seal I6a illustratinga modified construction. The seal |6a is similar to the seal shown inFig. 1, except that it is provided with a disc 53a substituted for thedisc 63. Disc 63a is similar to disc 53' except that on the inner sidethereof it is provided with an internal tapered surface 86 to replacethe fiat surface as shown in Fig, 1. Thus. should liquid accumulatearound portion 66 of disc 53a it will contact the tapered surface 66 andwill have a tendency to iiy outwardly, due to centrifugal force, andaway from the shaft.

It will be noted that the sealing means are enclosed within chamber 2|Vand maintained within said chamber by the abutment gland 24.

Referring now to Figs.- 4, 5, and 6, there is shown therein a shaft 65having a portion 85a of larger diameter and a portion 65h of somewhatreduced diameter, forming therebetween a shoulder 65o. Disposed aboutshaft 65a and spaced therefrom is a sleeve 66 which may be part of apump or any other suitable apparatus. The shaft 65 is rotatably mountedWithin sleeve 66, a ball bearing 6l being interposed between shaftportion 85h and said sleeve. Said sleeve is formed with a recess 68adjacent one end edge 66 thereof to receive the ball bearing 61. Theinner race of the ball bearing rests on shoulder 65e.

In accordance with the present .invention improved means is provided forsealing the shaft so as to prevent leakage between the shaft and thesleeve. To this end there is fixed on shaft .portion 65h, a collar 66preferably of hardened steel. The collar 66 may be fixed to the shaft inany suitable manner, as for example by force fitting the same thereon.Collar 66 may be somewhat spaced from the ball bearing 61. It is formedon the side adjacent the ball bearing with a fiat surface 66a. At theopposite side of the collar 66 is an outer frusto-conicalr surface 66h.Surrounding the shaft and contacting collar 66 is an annular ring 6| ofsintered metal, carbon graphite or other self-lubricating material. Thering 6I is formed on one side with an inner frustaconical surface 6|acomplementary to and contacting surface 66h of collar 66. At theopposite side of ring 6| is a flat surface 6| b substantially flush withthe end edge 66 of 4sleeve 66. Fixed to the end surface 66 of the sleeveis an annular iiat sealing diaphragm 62 preferably made of resilientsynthetic plastic material, rubber or the like substance. The diaphragm62 is formed with a central opening 92a of a diameter larger than thediameter of shaft portion 65h. The outer portion of the diaphragm isfixed to the sleeve by means of stud screws 63. The inner portion of thediaphragm contactsthe flat surface 6|b of ringv 6|. Resting on the innerportion of the diaphragm and surrounding shaft h is a metal pressurewasher 64. Contacting the outer surface of diaphragm 92 is an annularspring 95,. Spring 95 is fixed to the sleeve 486 by the screwsy 93'. Thespring 95 may be made of sheet metal and is formed with a plurality ofinwardly extending radial spring fingers 95a contacting the pressurewasher f 94. The fin-gers 95a exert a resilient pressure against thewasher which in turn presses the diaphragm against the ring 9i. Thusliquid disposed between shaft 85 and the sleeve cannot pass between thefrusto-conical surfaces 90b, Sla, and cannot pass between the ring 9|and the diaphragm 92. The shaft is thereby also effectively sealedagainst dirt or other foreign matter getting to the pump from theoutside.

It will thus be seen that lthere is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a shaft formed with a tapered shoulder, an abutmentgland on the shaft, said abutment gland being formed with a` recesshaving a bottom tapered surface, a resilient washer at the bottom of therecess, said washer having a tapered surface contacting the taperedsurface of said abutment gland, a self-lubricating ring surrounding theshaft and contacting the resilient washer, means on the abutment glandto restrain the self-lubricating ring against rotation while permittingaxial as well as limited radial movement thereof, said self-lubricatingring having an internal tapered surface, a disc having an externaltapered surfacecontacting the internal tapered surface of saidself-lubricating ring, and resilient means on said shaft to press saiddisc against said ring. Y

2. A wall formed with an opening. a shaft passing through said opening,a chamber extending from said wall and surrounding said shaft,4

. Number an abutment gland -on said shaft and closing the end of saidchamber, a resilient washer contacting said abutment gland and disposedwithin said chamber, a ring of self-lubricating material on said shaft,and contacting said washer, means to restrain said ring from rotationwhile permitting the ring to move axially and radially, a glandcontacting said ring, resilient means on the shaft to press said glandagainst said ring, and said ring and gland having mutually contactingcomplementary frusto-co'nical surfaces, and saidr'esilient washer andabutment gland having mutually contacting tapered surfaces.

3. A wall formed with an opening, a shaft passing through said opening,a chamber cxtending from said wall and surrounding said shaft. anabutment gland on said shaft and closing the end of said chamber, aresilient washer contacting said abutment gland and disposed within saidchamber, a ring-of self-lubricating material on said shaft, andcontacting said washer, means torestrain said ring from rotation whilepermitting the ring to move axially and radially, a gland contactingsaid ring, resilient means on the shaft to press said `gland againstsaid ring, and said ring and gland having mutually contactingcomplementary frusta-conical surfaces, said resilient washer andabutment gland having mutually contacting tapered surfaces. and saidresilient washer and ring having mutually contacting fiat surfaces.

MAYNARD E. ESTEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 836,408 Somes Nov. 20, 1906 1,813,016Bentley July 7, 1931 2,023,898 Olson Dec. 10, 1935 2,237,494 McCormackApr.v 8, 1941 2,362,436 Stratford Nov. 7, 1944 2,370,471 Karlberg Feb.27, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 664,854 France 1929

